Race number belt on the bike: front or back more aero?

Some races you have to wear your number on the bike. Do you wear it on the front or back? Why?

If a race requires you to wear a number on the bike then surely you must wear it on the back so that it can be seen by officials.

From the FL 70.3 athlete guide:

“RACE NUMBER: You must wear your bib number during the bike and run portions of the race. Your bike number must be properly attached to your bike and must be visible.”

It says your “bike number must be visible” not your race number. It only says you have to wear your race number. My bike number will be prominently displayed on my bike.

http://www.slowtwitch.com/articles/images/8/29518-large_OceansideBike1.jpg

Check out Jordan in this pic. I doubt he would be breaking the rules. But I have also seen him with a number on the back as well.

I’m sure they mean that the bib number must be visible also. No idea if that necessarily means on the back though.

Styrrell

Most of the race regs I’ve seen state that on the bike it must be clearly visible from the back and not cut down or trimmed/folded in any way. Be a shame to gain 2 minutes aero advantage by wearing it on the front to be met by a race referee who gives you a time penalty. Everyone is in the same boat so IMO it’s a bit academic.

What do the regs for the race you have in mind say?

I just did a small race which required the race number to be worn in front for the bike and run. Do they know that not everyone rides a mountain bike or cruiser?

If you have a bike # why do u have to have the bib # on at all during the bike. I usually don’t put my belt # on till the run.

In IM races, they often mark your number to show penalties.

I tend to clip on my race belt and spin it to my back during the bike. I rarely hear it flapping in the wind during the ride, so I figure it is good back there. The series I race in (Setup Events North Carolina - IOSTS) requires you to have your bib number facing forward at the finish line, so I spin it right after the 3 / 6 mile mark. It’s a 2 min penalty if you don’t. I’m good with that.

So IMHO, I would say it doesn’t matter, your bike number should be fine, your bib is for running.

I always ask this at pre race briefing. If there is no briefing, then I find the race ref the morning of and ask them.

Seems like thus far IM races require the bib on your body and on your back, others (USAT I guess) don’t usually care.

From the pic you posted, it actually looks like he IS wearing his number…

I’m sure that Zoot belt isn’t there to please the sponsors, I’d bet is has his number attached.

To answer the OP, wear it on the bike. Number in back. When you get off bike and start to run, turn it around to front.

From the FL 70.3 athlete guide:

“RACE NUMBER: You must wear your bib number during the bike and run portions of the race. Your bike number must be properly attached to your bike and must be visible.”

It says your “bike number must be visible” not your race number. It only says you have to wear your race number. My bike number will be prominently displayed on my bike.

http://www.slowtwitch.com/...e_OceansideBike1.jpg

Check out Jordan in this pic. I doubt he would be breaking the rules. But I have also seen him with a number on the back as well.

I sew the race number onto my clothes so it won’t flap around.

I sew the race number onto my clothes so it won’t flap around.

when i race my road bike, we use a 3M spray adhesive to attach the number… has anyone tried to do this for a tri? just slap it on the left leg on the outside, that way the ref can see it clearly, and it’s ~in front for the run.

The first year that I raced IMLP, I put my number belt on in T1 with the number (sort of) facing rearward. A few miles into the bike, I tried adjusting the number toward the center, but one side of my belt caught and the number ripped at the corner. Rather than letting it flap around in the wind (and eventually fly off completely) I wadded it up and stuffed it up into my jersey. I didn’t have a single official question me about it for the duration of the ride. In fairness, they also weren’t enforcing drafting violations which probably rank a bit higher than bib number infractions.